We all easily get lost in the erratic noise of life, whether it is with school, work, family or our social life. Life speeds by us like a train: we hop off at one aspect of our life only to hop back on for our next destination, crossing things off our list, then trying to find the balance in work life by creating social events to look forward to. No matter how many things you get done, there’s always more.
When we do have a moment to breathe, we often drown out the noise of chaos with the noise of television shows, music or podcasts to fill the time. Noise becomes a part of our life. We hear traffic outside, we hear the chatting of neighbors, we hear ourselves going on about our day at work or school. But do we ever just stop and listen to the natural world beyond our artificial one?
A year ago, in the midst of the jungle paradise of Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, I came to realize the importance of turning off the noise.
It was the first weekend in Costa Rica, where I was taking a course to become an English teacher. Some fellow students and I had planned a trip to Manuel Antonio, which is the epitome of Costa Rica’s well-known tropical coast. It was a magical day, swimming in the warm coastal waters while cool rain leisurely dropped on our heads, the sandy beach surrounded by lush green jungle plants. The cloudy day transformed into the most beautiful sunset I had ever seen, the clouds bursting into brilliant oranges, pinks and purples. At night, the group found a restaurant for ceviche and chiliguaros (Costa Rica’s infamous spicy tomato shots that taste like mini Bloody Mary’s). We had spent the entire day getting to know each other, realizing that we were all completely different, yet finding that we could easily enjoy each other’s company. We all had the commonality that we removed ourselves from familiarity and were seeking a new experience in a world outside our own. We all came with an open mind.
Still on a high from the joy of the day and the company of new friends, two students and I perched ourselves on a large swing at the rooftop of our hostel, continuing to chat away. Along with our excited conversation, we had reggae music playing on a portable speaker. Suddenly, one of my friends, Zawk – who continues to be a close friend today – interrupted our chatter to say “Wait for it…wait for it…”
“Wait for what?” And then – there was silence. He turned off our conversation as well as the music. The air around us shifted. It was quiet, yet, at the same time, loud. The void of our noise was filled by the sounds of the jungle. The power of the natural cadence surprised me, and I couldn’t help but let out a “Woa.” The three of us just sat there, listening. It was as if the universe was speaking to us and spilling out all of its secrets, through the chirping bugs, the squawking geckos, the wind-rustling leaves of wild trees and creatures of the night crying out in conversation. At that moment, I was unbelievably happy.
There is something about the whispers of nature that brings me back to earth. In that moment, I remembered that I was a part of something bigger than me. That this world was utterly wild and that I was at its mercy. But this wild world is incredibly beautiful. In the chaos, there is so much life. Real life. Among the artificial noise, it’s easy to forget how beautiful this world can be beneath all that man has created above it. We humans are a part of the natural world. It speaks to our soul because we are from it. It is part of our natural rhythm.
Working as a teacher in Colombia, the noises of life have gotten ever louder. My days consist of never-ending tasks, followed by busy weekends. My short evenings in the week mean cooking dinner, finishing up grading, and watching Friends. There is no time to listen. But recently, I discovered a yoga class hosted by a Canadian living with her family in a house right outside of the bustle of the city, hidden in the natural surroundings of Colombia’s jungle.
During our final savasana, I once again found the silence filled by the noise of the natural world. I could hear the rushing of the river down below us, the chirping of bugs, the winds brushing through the wide palms and the squeaks of newborn puppies lying beneath the stairs below us. My fast-paced week came to a sudden halt. I listened. The universe spoke to me, reminding me that I was one small part of this mysterious yet incredible world. A world that is interconnected by the rhythm of our energies humming together, overlapping one another, yet creating harmony. It is moments like this where I remember that my chaotic week is just one week that comes and goes. That one week does not overrun the big picture of my life – there is potential for something more and something beautiful. Such as that exact moment: laying on the bamboo floor, my legs and hands open and at the mercy of the world, listening to the sounds of the jungle in a foreign country. Moments where I can stop and realize where I am in my journey of life and realize how incredible that journey is. Moments where I can reflect on where I was three months ago and how I had reached my present, realizing that the rollercoaster weeks had only helped me grow into the person I was at that exact moment.
So, when you have a minute of freedom, avoid plugging into the noise of your favorite TV show. Instead, walk outside, stop and listen. What is the universe trying to tell you?
